The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-07-24


vitation.
1t was the third morning after the draw
ing room-I.ord Ernst and his daughter were
breakfasting in the richly-adoned morning
room with the young Count as their guest.
His lordship had the morning papers
spread before him and was reading the &C
counts of the little lady's triumphS as he
slipped his cup of steaming Mocha.
Lady Betty was smiling and hluShing with
a pretty naivette as she l{otened to the uneX
aggerated compliments from her fathers
lips.
While the Count, Yainly ondeavoring to
eat his delicious InUfhuS, was looking at tho
radiant face of his inamorata with longing
eyes, a servant entered and advancing with
deferential manner handed his lordshlp a
salver containing two large envelopes,
Lord Ernst took them in his hand and
read the superScriptions and then laid one
back on the salVer.
Take it to Lady Betty" said he, nod
ding toward the missive.
The man obeyed and Lady Betty gave q
little shrek of delight as she broke the seal
and took out the enclosure.
80, papa!n cried she; IAN invitation tC
the Duchess ball-and for me especially
How delightsulp'
Lord Ernst looked pleased as he read the
invitations so great did he consider the honor
done his darling child.
Eyes, my daughter, / see. Her grace is
certainly most indulgent to my little girl,
replied he. smilingly
Lady Betty was Supremacy happy at that
moment-she had what every beautiful
woman most always desires-viz; a bright
life of affection and victory: a satisfied am
bition and bright prospects-al these were
smiling before her.
She was b6trothed to Sir Arthur whom
she loved with a sisterly affection, and
whom she was trying to regard with q
world did her homage-bQwing before hel
beauty and grace as grateful subjects before
their queen
What more can wish for?n thought the
happy girl--but then, happening to raise bel
eyes to the Counts face, she encountered his
expressive orbs fastened upon her face with
a wistful, sad expression, so different from
his usual laughing demeanor.
A sudden thought and shadow swept
over her face.
"And YOU CountF' cried Lady Betty
"have you received no invitationp
YES, lady, nreplied the young Count, 6
look of happiness taking the place of his
former gloom.
why, Betty, how you talk" exclaimed
her father in surprise.
'Why, papap
"My chIld, you certainly must remember
that her grace is a most intimate friend OF
the Count, replied Lord Ernst.
so, Count, forgive mem cried Lady Bet.
ty, in distress Indeed | was not think
ing!,
"You are forgiven, sweet lady" replied
the young man, with an amused smile play.
ing around his mouth as he saw the woe-be
gone expression of Lady Betty's face 81
can assure you you have not committed the
objectionable sin-as | was so busy think
ing that was unconcious Of any slight "
"Ah!n questioned the lady, her face agar
dimpled with smiles and anxious to know
his thoughts.
"Woman's curiosity" laughingly re-
marked Lord Ernst; as he heard the excla'
nation and saw the uplifted hfows of his
daughter.
"And pretty curiosity it is, my Lord.
am sure my lady" said the Count, ta1rnipc
to Lady Betty, IF itwere the SAME kind 81
inquisitiveness that tempted Adam, l DO moi
wonder he was so easily lured-it requires
more than manly strength to understand
such pretty wiles."
The young hostess blushed deeply at this
rather broad compliment, aud more 50 al
She felthis adIniring eyes fastened upon her
face as he spoke.
''For shame, Count! you are traducing
my NUOlb SIX! CIltu Sllt, Will d
of indignation.
mot so, fair LADY, meant it as a com
pliment."
What! for Adam7-rnethinks it is but a
poor compliment for him and for his de
Scendants," said she, gldflcing at the young
man archly, and then adding: ''Afe all
men so weak"
"Fie, Betty" exclaimed her father, laugh
ing heartily.
The Counts face assumed a rather deeper
hue, but he replied gaily.
81 confess myself vanquished lady. But
to return to the subject and answer your
first question. ] was thinking how hand
somely you would grace the festive scene &c
be given as slight tribute to your beauty
and worth"
Lady Betty, looking more rosy than ever
and at loss for a reply, arose from the
table and leading the way to the library
excused herself, leaving the gentleman &c
their cigars and conversation--whil she
skipped away to her room to tell her maid
Meta of her good fortune.
80, Metal Metal" cried she, rushing into
her boudoir with the invitation in her hand.
"My lady" replied the maid, coming for
ward and placing an arm chair for her
beautiful mistress.
'See, Meta, an invitation to ball at the
Duchess of Sutherland s-and all for me"
The girl clhsped her hands with pleasure,
as much delighted as her young mistress.
80, my lady! | so glad, so ver' glad ex.
claimed Meta, who fairly worshiped her
young mistress and her fair young beauty
and 50 devoted was she to her young lady
that her whole study and delight was how
to adorn that fair form to advantage.
She was so true and affectionate that
Lady Betty had grown to love her as a
friend and made her the repository of all
joys, triumphs and troubles.
Meta, what shall wearW
81 will think, dear lady" the girls face
assumed an expression of deep thought.
After few minutes silence she cried: "My
lady! my ladyi / know nowr'
"What, NettaP' asked Lady Betty, her
dark eyes luminous with expectation.
"a robe of white silk covered with lace,
studded with diamonds like dew drops and
diamond jewels"
"Just the thingl o, Meta, just lovely!'
cried Betty, jumping from her chair and
dancing around.
Lady Betty's entree made quite stir in
the high circle that were present at the ball
And indeed il was no wonder The queen
ly form with its smell, well shaped head
crowned with the dark hair glistening with
diamonds, while tine creamy silk shone be-
meath the downy lace sparkling with
precious gems.
Reigning bellies saw their triumphs on the
wane
The Princess showed her marked atten-
ton, willie the Prince asked the favor OF
more than one dance.
Lord Ernst looked on proudly and de-
lighted with his daughters success: il